Goodbye Wonderland

Right now I dont like myself.

Right now, no more fairies and elf .

Stories of fantasy seem stupid and old,

No one can ever change sand to gold ,

Don't believe that there is a pot of gold ,

The end of the rainbow is probably sold.

Many tales made and many a told,

I learnt all myths while I grew old .

Whoever saw Snow-White awake

And Alice ? for God's sake !

Whoever saw Peter-Pan fly,

And Tinkle-Bell ? useless hue and cry.

Believed in all things nice --

Hunky dory and no more spice .

What a fool I was to think

The world could change in a wink.

Fairy tales have grim endings

Paved roads have unexpected bendings.

I think its time to stop smiling ,

Face reality as the truth keeps piling.

Feel lost in this new found vision

Who knows wat to believe and what is an illusion :)

Dont want to live in this land of no kindness

Don need no gold castles..no need to hear YOUR Highness !

I'd much rather live in a make-believe island

Where hearts flutter and truth is silent .

Who cares about reality when it is so sad ?

Who cares about the truth when illusion makes you glad.

Alas ! its time to line up and go

Deserted road and long row.

Good - bye my friends bunny and duchess...

YOU didnt exist but better than truth's clutches :-)

Remember I lived here in Wonderland

Remember that I also had my magic wand

Goodbye for now but don't be mistaken ever

I will be back someday , will forget you never .

Will bring my kids to see this land..

Where Life never deals a rough hand.

My children will also be a part of this story,

All has not ended and neither has your glory.

Goodbye Sweet Little Wonderland,

Remember that Once I too had a magic wand !!!

Back Home

Landing fresh from a long USA stay , I was all smug and gung-ho about the "value of life" and how " we Indians " never give it the due importance , about the pollution-free streets that "we never had" , about the freedom to wear "what we want ( read : sheer micro-minis) " and not being ogled at and I rambled on and on and on.

So you can imagine my displeasure on being suggested -- probably to shut me up -- by my Mother , that I visit the local winter-"fair" !!

My immense snout and immediate refusal did not deter her ..So I had to give in , Oh what the hell ! If an hour or so pleases her then why not just endure it out rather than the constant nagging ?

So on we went to the local fair grounds and a whiff of hot jalebis hit me immediately upon my entrance.Of course ! I did want to speak out immediately about the violation of food and hygiene regulations but something shut me up. It was the golgappa stall right next to the jalebis and without spending a single moment on thoughts , I rushed to get my fill.

My mother asked what happened to the hygienic-conditions and "requirement of mineral-water" that I sooo talk about but I chose to ignore her.

And then came the all important affair of checking out the wares and stuff on sale there. No matter how much I cringed my nose , I couldnt resist staring longingly at the multicolored scarves , the gleaming pots and pans , the saffron colored cloth-pieces , the "2-Rs a piece" ear-rings , the beady bindis , the fake-gold maang-tikkis , the honey glazed sweets , the salted peanuts , the freshly brewed lassi , the steaming tea cups , the embroidered bed-sheets ,

the vivacious ballons to be hit by a hunting gun ( 5 Rs for 7 trials ) where you get to keep the elusive stuffed toy only if you hit three balloons right ( no-one in the history of this universe ever got them ) , the fruit salad with its own indian touch , the spicy chutney , the bottled jars full of lemon pickle , the pretty ceramic horses and delicate wooden fairies , the fake flowers and fruit baskets that you can keep in your glass-cupboards for decor( "6 Rs no matter what you pick MAADAMM...Allright then at least take two and get two Rooopeeesss discountt MAAdammmm" )...What a heady cocktail for the senses , the brain and yes , indeed the soul .

All of these stuck a chord in my heart , there was something so warm and modest in these surroundings , so honest that you felt like laughing when they said , "let me reduce one rupee for you madam , you are iss-speciaall customer" .

It made me feel warm and happy inside. :)

Though I returned dusty and my hands were tired of carrying two full bags ( that I did not know or care to know were made of re-cyclable plastic or not , not anymore) , I returned Indian . A happy Indian . A very happy Indian with a wide conspicuous shameless Indian grin .

Satisfied to the core that I was born to this terrific nation where there were sometimes potholes instead of smooth highways but when you fell down; a one-thousand-hands helped to pick you up as well as every item of your shopping bag allthough its a different story that when you reached home , your cell phone would probably have gone missing. But then again , there's consolation because the localites would promise to do whatever was in their power to "trace him ..the rogue thief " allthough ideally it should have been the cop's job. Hehe

I am indeed back home.